§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many staff grade posts within the NHS he expects will be made consultant posts in the next 12 months. [156458]
§ Mr. HuttonThere are no central plans to convert staff grade posts into consultant posts over the next 12 months. National health service trusts can, if they feel there is a need, make proposals to their postgraduate deanery to increase the numbers of locally funded specialist training posts. These may be funded by conversion of staff grade posts and may eventually lead to additional consultant posts.